PEP’S IN THE HAUL OF FAME
Eighth domestic trophy from the last nine on offer is proof that Guardiola’s a serial winner
NO ONE delivers trophies with quite the regularity of Pep Guardiola.
Incredibly, this is his eighth domestic trophy from the last nine on offer in a glorious reign as Manchester City boss.
They now come to Wembley every season expecting to win and that gives them one hell of an edge in any final. But Guardiola just loves this particular trophy. City have now won the Carabao Cup three years running and it is a huge credit to Aston Villa that they actually made this final a contest right until the bitter end.
But, ultimately, City were on a different level because their dressing room is full of winners.
Phil Foden, the youngest player on the pitch at 19, was man of the match – England is now blessed with one of the best young midfield talents in Europe. Amid all the talent, all the big-name stars, Guardiola showed incredible faith to start with Foden and his trust was rewarded with a dynamic and inventive performance. The City boss buzzed with excitement when talking about Foden after the game, just as he did about Claudio Bravo after his last-gasp save that cheated Villa of an equaliser.
Goals from Sergio Aguero and Rodri put City in command but an error from John Stones – all too common from a class defender shorn of confidence – allowed underdogs Villa to get themselves back into the game through Mbwana Samatta.
However, Stones refused to let his head drop and was excellent as Villa fought for a leveller. No wonder Guardiola (right) made a special point of hugging him after the game, a gesture which underlined his connection with his players.
That is what sets City apart, they have as manager a serial winner who is so passionate about his players and trophies, having won three League Cups, an FA Cup, two Premier League titles and two Community Shields.
It has been a lame surrender to Liverpool in the title race this season but City have an ongoing love affair with Wembley.
Villa started well. Anwar El Ghazi headed an early chance over but City’s pressure told after 20 minutes when Rodri’s cross was headed back by Foden and Aguero smashed home a close-range shot.
After half an hour it was 2-0. It should never have been a City corner as the ball came off Ilkay Gundogan. But it was Gundogan who sent over a cross and it was Rodri who powered a header home.
You feared the worst for Villa. A repeat of the 6-0 slaughter
Watford suffered in the FA Cup final looked on the cards. But Villa showed more heart.
Tyrone Mings rallied the players and led by example and, when Stones slipped, El Ghazi escaped down the left and delivered a perfect cross for Samatta to head powerfully home.
As Villa fought for a late equaliser, substitute Conor Hourihane crossed into the City box and a header from Bjorn Engels was destined for the top corner until Bravo somehow clawed it onto the post. It was an incredible save, the moment
City secured yet another trophy, and it was no more than they deserved. Guardiola hugged City fan
Noel Gallagher as he left the pitch – he has become the rock star of football managers.
But Villa boss Dean Smith gathered his players together after the game and will no doubt have told them that, if they continue to play like this, they will stay up.